The use of technology and social media has become ubiquitous in virtually every aspect of everyday life – including the workplace – and this has resulted in a number of challenges. As author Rosemary Bocska points out in the introduction to her latest publication, Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation, "The boundaries between employees' professional and personal lives is blurred, and from the employer's perspective, this gives rise to significant new legal issues relating to employee productivity, privacy and the employer's ability or right to discipline employees and monitor their conduct both on- and off-duty."

In this insightful handbook, Bocska examines these issues in the context of every phase of the employer-employee relationship – from interviewing and hiring, to employment, to termination.

Legal overview

Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation is a practical resource for small businesses, managers, legal advisors and human resources professionals who are looking for guidance in dealing with the most common employment law issues relating to social media and privacy law in the modern workplace. In addition to general guidelines for hiring and firing, the book discusses hot topics in the area, such as privacy and the use of technology in the employment context.

This volume offers a valuable overview of this new and complex space where both employers and employees have a social media presence – complete with a range of rights and responsibilities. Bocska reviews the most important aspects of this evolving area and includes commentary and analysis of the privacy and social media issues employers frequently face, including employee productivity, privacy and their ability to scrutinize employees' online activity. By addressing these concerns at the various stages of the employment relationship, this book helps define the boundaries between the personal and professional spheres of life.

Social Media and Privacy Law for Employers – Hiring, Firing and Managing Reputation features useful information and guidance, including:

This up-to-date, comprehensive resource would be useful for anyone interested in workplace social media and privacy concerns, including:

Small businesses owners who have questions such as how much privacy employees have, how readily their emails or internet use can be accessed by the employer, how much surveillance can be done on employees, etc.

Business management who have to implement the employer-driven monitoring

Lawyers in general practice who advise small business and who many need to draft employee monitoring and privacy policies

Employment lawyers who provide clients with employment and labour law advice as it relates to issues surrounding privacy and social media, and who must draft relevant policies for clients

Human Resources professionals who need a resource that addresses everyday employment issues so they don't have to engage outside counsel

In-house lawyers who are responsible for staying up-to-date on social media and privacy law to ensure company policies are aligned with laws